Constituency : Sutherland 1852-61
George was heir to the Duke of Sutherland, both his father and grandfather attracting notoriety for their role in the Highland Clearances. His grandfather was reckoned the richest landowner in Britain. His mother Harriet was a friend of Gladstone's and did much to smooth his path into aristocratic society.
He resigned his seat on becoming the third duke and thereafter rarely dabbled in politics despite his close association with Gladstone. In 1870 his first wife Alice accepted the post of Mistress of the Robes with reluctance although she remained friends with Queen Victoria for the rest of her life. George was a major figure in society as duke and accompanied Prince Edward to India in 1876. He hosted Garibaldi's visit to London in 1864
George was a noted philanthropist and imperialist. He established the Stafford House Committee to provide humanitarian aid to Turkish soldiers in the Russo-Turkish War ( something which could hardly have pleased Gladstone ).In 1878 he openly attacked Gladstone's pro-Russian position in a speech at St James's Hall which apparently distressed the Liberal leader. Despite these differences he did not join the Liberal Unionists.
George later spent a great deal of time in America with a mistress Mary Blair and caused a scandal in 1889 when he married her just three months after his wife's death.
His son and heir Cromartie was a later MP for the seat.
George died in 1892.
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